George Lucas' effects company reveals tech wizardry that created Star Wars: The Force Awakens

A scene from The Force Awakens shows the technical wizardry behind the movie. Photo / Industrial Light and Magic / Youtube

The masterminds behind the incredible visual effects in the Star Wars movies have lifted the lid on their work in an awe-inspiring reel released online.

Industrial Light and Magic put out the four-minute video which gives fan a glimpse of the painstaking detail that went in to the creation of the latest Star Wars movie,The Force Awakens, which came out last December.

In the reel actors can be seen performing against giant green screens. Sections of background detail dart one by one into position until the final image is revealed.

An actor performs in front a giant green screen. Photo / Industrial Light and Magic / Youtube

Elsewhere the CGI work that went into the creation of some of the fantastical aliens that people the movie is shown. In one part the mould of an alien's head has layers of colour, detail and lighting added until the finished product emerges.

The mold of an alien's head. Pjoto / Industrial Light and Magic / Youtube

Industrial Light and Magic was nominated for an Oscar for its work on the movie.

The effects company was set up by Star Wars creator George Lucas following the success of the first Star Wars movie, which is credited with revolutionising visual effects in films.